The Great Gatsby chronicles the plight of Gatsby, an enigmatic self-made millionaire, and his efforts to achieve his dream. Gatsby is in love with his former girlfriend Daisy. She left him for the wealthier Tom, who is now having an affair with a woman named Myrtle Wilson. Gatsby and Daisy briefly rekindle their relationship but after its deterioration, Daisy accidentally kills Myrtle with Gatsby’s car. George shoots Gatsby and himself; falsely led by Tom to believe that Gatsby had affair with and killed his wife Myrtle. Daisy and Tom move away to escape their carelessness. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, the motif of yellow conveys the theme that the journey to achieve the American Dream is unattainably destructive.
Yellow represents …show more content…
During the party Nick experiences with Tom and Myrtle, she changes her “costume” to “an elaborate dress” of “cream-colored chiffon” which gives “a continual rustle”, and “under the influence of the dress” her personality experiences “a change” (Fitzgerald 30). Myrtle desperately wants to leave the lower class, and has an affair with Tom to escape. Her attempted assimilation is shown by her changing to an “elaborate” dress. It affects her attitude and transforms her personality, showing the effects of money. Like a costume, however, Myrtle’s dress is a disguise and she will never be fully integrated into the upper class. The windows of the apartment emphasize the attraction of the upper class. Nick says that “high over the city” their “line of yellow windows” contribute “human secrecy to the casual watcher in the darkening streets” and he is “looking up and wondering” being “enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life” (35). The upper class is so captivating that even Nick is still drawn to it, despite the violence and hollowness he has witnessed. The windows cause onlookers to look up with curiosity and longing but they will never be able to truly experience the elevated old money …show more content…
Gatsby’s material prosperity and lack of status is portrayed during his parties. At Gatsby’s party, Nick describes the rooms as “gaudy with primary colors”, and how the orchestra plays “yellow cocktail music” (40). The garish colors of Gatsby’s house and yellow music symbolize his intense wealth but also how he is seen socially to the “old money” inhabitants of East Egg. Despite his fortune and vast parties, he will never be equal. Gatsby’s tie conveys his wealth to Daisy to impress her and rekindle his romance. As Nick prepares for tea with Daisy, Gatsby hurries, wearing a “gold-colored tie” and has signs of “sleeplessness” (84). Gold, a rich shade of yellow, emphasizes Gatsby’s wealth that has been earned in order to be with Daisy and his intentions to be with her. Gatsby is nervous and tries to show that he is worthy of Daisy and they belong together, as this has been his aspiration for many years. Gatsby’s yellow car demonstrates that despite his wealth, he will never be accepted into the refinement of old money. When Gatsby and Nick go to lunch, Gatsby’s car is described as “a rich cream color, bright with nickel, swollen here and there in its monstrous length” and mirrors “a dozen suns” (64). Gatsby’s wealth is epitomized in his luxurious yellow car and is used in his attempts to get
Yellow represents …show more content…
During the party Nick experiences with Tom and Myrtle, she changes her “costume” to “an elaborate dress” of “cream-colored chiffon” which gives “a continual rustle”, and “under the influence of the dress” her personality experiences “a change” (Fitzgerald 30). Myrtle desperately wants to leave the lower class, and has an affair with Tom to escape. Her attempted assimilation is shown by her changing to an “elaborate” dress. It affects her attitude and transforms her personality, showing the effects of money. Like a costume, however, Myrtle’s dress is a disguise and she will never be fully integrated into the upper class. The windows of the apartment emphasize the attraction of the upper class. Nick says that “high over the city” their “line of yellow windows” contribute “human secrecy to the casual watcher in the darkening streets” and he is “looking up and wondering” being “enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life” (35). The upper class is so captivating that even Nick is still drawn to it, despite the violence and hollowness he has witnessed. The windows cause onlookers to look up with curiosity and longing but they will never be able to truly experience the elevated old money …show more content…
Gatsby’s material prosperity and lack of status is portrayed during his parties. At Gatsby’s party, Nick describes the rooms as “gaudy with primary colors”, and how the orchestra plays “yellow cocktail music” (40). The garish colors of Gatsby’s house and yellow music symbolize his intense wealth but also how he is seen socially to the “old money” inhabitants of East Egg. Despite his fortune and vast parties, he will never be equal. Gatsby’s tie conveys his wealth to Daisy to impress her and rekindle his romance. As Nick prepares for tea with Daisy, Gatsby hurries, wearing a “gold-colored tie” and has signs of “sleeplessness” (84). Gold, a rich shade of yellow, emphasizes Gatsby’s wealth that has been earned in order to be with Daisy and his intentions to be with her. Gatsby is nervous and tries to show that he is worthy of Daisy and they belong together, as this has been his aspiration for many years. Gatsby’s yellow car demonstrates that despite his wealth, he will never be accepted into the refinement of old money. When Gatsby and Nick go to lunch, Gatsby’s car is described as “a rich cream color, bright with nickel, swollen here and there in its monstrous length” and mirrors “a dozen suns” (64). Gatsby’s wealth is epitomized in his luxurious yellow car and is used in his attempts to get